According to sources with Denver Public Schools, the University of Denver is about to solve a campus space issue, put the men’s and women’s tennis programs on year-round footing, and work with the community in a joint venture which aligns perfectly to Chancellor Chopp’s strategic vision – joining the University and the Denver community closer together in perfect alignment with the DU’s Strategic Impact 2025 plan.
The Denver Post published an article a year ago about a joint venture between Denver Public Schools, the University of Denver, and the nonprofit Denver Tennis Park for building an indoor tennis facility next to All City Stadium at Denver South High School.
According to DPS sources, it now appears that this innovative proposal is on the verge of becoming a reality.
While the University of Denver has a facility for outdoor tennis at the Stapleton Tennis Center, the team had no on-campus facility to play indoors during Colorado’s variable weather. With sub-par facilities and no realistic on-campus solution – men’s and women’s programs were at a competitive disadvantage both nationally and even within the Summit League.
Now, the sky is the limit for DU tennis teams – both of whom went to the NCAA Tournament this year. The men finished 18-8 while the women finished an incredible 21-3.
South High School has outdoor tennis courts but faces the same limitations as a number of other Denver High Schools seeking indoor facilities. They also have available property on the southwest corner of their campus for development. Add to all this, South High School is a diverse school with 28.4% white, 33.9% latino, 12.4% Asian, and 1.2% Native American students. The school is representative of Denver’s current and future demographics – and DU is seeking access and visibility outside the confines of DU’s campus. This created the perfect opportunity for a community partnership.
The tennis complex will have seven indoor and eight outdoor tennis courts at the southwest corner of the stadium near I 25 and Franklin Street.
The new tennis complex will be used year-round for training, high school tournaments and as the home courts for the University of Denver. Denver Public Schools has 18 high school tennis teams with more than 600 students who could benefit from the site. The facility could also be open to the public at select times. The six tennis courts currently at South High would remain.
Denver Tennis Park will manage the operations while the total project cost is estimated to be $11.3 million. The original concept received Denver Board of Education approval, University of Denver approval, and finally completed fundraising to cover the project financing.
The architecture firm Barker Rinker Seacat completed preliminary designs and final site plans will be released once the project is formally announced. Expect an official public announcement soon.
This is a great move engineered by the DU administration, the athletics department, and the community to create a win-win situation for all.
Great news for the tennis programs. Men almost took down Mississippi yesterday in the NCAA tournament. Women finished 21-3. Not high profile, but helps build a culture of excellence in the athletic dept.
Who’s paying for this facility?
As I understand it, it is split 3-ways. DPS, a foundation, and DU. No one entity could have afforded the investment but together – it works.
The Walton Family is footing a large portion of the bill as well as a couple other large donors. Last I heard (about 6 months ago) DU was funding ~25-30% . The author might have more accurate data though
Now it might be possible to move soccer to Gates area and expand Or reconfigure Barton? I’ve thought this for years, but did not know of viability of moving tennis
I wonder if logistically they could increase the height of the current grandstand by pushing the soccer fields south. This seems like the easiest way to add capacity, and might not be too expensive either.
I don’t know what the “Gates area” is. What/where is it?
Moving any sports competitions off campus means students won’t go.
Gates is name of current DU tennis facility. Going away from Ritchie center towards High St, you have Barton, soccer field, tennis center.
Great news for the tennis programs. Men almost took down Mississippi yesterday in the NCAA tournament. Women finished 21-3. Not high profile, but helps build a culture of excellence in the athletic dept.
Who’s paying for this facility?
As I understand it, it is split 3-ways. DPS, a foundation, and DU. No one entity could have afforded the investment but together – it works.
Build a Tennis Center and no money for Hockey locker room?
We all want that and Peter Barton expansion but this makes sense on many levels. The shared cost makes this a no brainer – and there are apparently several large benefactors backing this. All of us, including the hockey pros, will get to ‘participate, in the new locker room. Checks to Ryan Peck 2208 Asbury, Denver, Co. 80208. Big and small checks accepted – and tax deductible, too!
The Walton Family is footing a large portion of the bill as well as a couple other large donors. Last I heard (about 6 months ago) DU was funding ~25-30% . The author might have more accurate data though
Now it might be possible to move soccer to Gates area and expand Or reconfigure Barton? I’ve thought this for years, but did not know of viability of moving tennis
I wonder if logistically they could increase the height of the current grandstand by pushing the soccer fields south. This seems like the easiest way to add capacity, and might not be too expensive either.
I don’t know what the “Gates area” is. What/where is it?
Moving any sports competitions off campus means students won’t go.
Gates is name of current DU tennis facility. Going away from Ritchie center towards High St, you have Barton, soccer field, tennis center.
Most Pioneer fans don’t care much about college tennis, and I can’t blame them. It’s really not a spectator sport at the NCAA level, and few follow it beyond friends and family. When the Ritchie Center was built 15 years ago, DU probably should have done more to build an NCAA-level tennis venue, but DU did not really expand it size-wise beyond the six existing courts that were already there in the ’80s. All they did was put a parking garage under the courts and added a small grandstand. Six tennis courts is just not enough for a University of 12,000 students. Most high schools have more tennis courts. Since then, many of DU’s tennis meets have been held off campus over the years, presumably due to insufficient number of courts, and DU never really had room for an on-campus indoor tennis venue, either, which most D-I school have.
Even today, I can’t see the DU athletic department putting a lot of athletic department money into this project other more pressing varsity sports priorities, but I can certainly see DU (at a University level) dedicating some University funds for this as a public service, as it help Denver Public Schools, helps the neighborhood and helps the city, as well as giving DU an indoor home venue that they otherwise would not have.
Build a Tennis Center and no money for Hockey locker room?
We all want that and Peter Barton expansion but this makes sense on many levels. The shared cost makes this a no brainer – and there are apparently several large benefactors backing this. All of us, including the hockey pros, will get to ‘participate, in the new locker room. Checks to Ryan Peck 2208 Asbury, Denver, Co. 80208. Big and small checks accepted – and tax deductible, too!
Most Pioneer fans don’t care much about college tennis, and I can’t blame them. It’s really not a spectator sport at the NCAA level, and few follow it beyond friends and family. When the Ritchie Center was built 15 years ago, DU probably should have done more to build an NCAA-level tennis venue, but DU did not really expand it size-wise beyond the six existing courts that were already there in the ’80s. All they did was put a parking garage under the courts and added a small grandstand. Six tennis courts is just not enough for a University of 12,000 students. Most high schools have more tennis courts. Since then, many of DU’s tennis meets have been held off campus over the years, presumably due to insufficient number of courts, and DU never really had room for an on-campus indoor tennis venue, either, which most D-I school have.
Even today, I can’t see the DU athletic department putting a lot of athletic department money into this project other more pressing varsity sports priorities, but I can certainly see DU (at a University level) dedicating some University funds for this as a public service, as it help Denver Public Schools, helps the neighborhood and helps the city, as well as giving DU an indoor home venue that they otherwise would not have.